BYRRHIDffi. — BYRRHUS. 135 



punctate — but not striate— elytra, dissimilar structure of tlie 

 capitulum of the antennae, expanded tibiae, and absence of rigid 

 capitate setae on the surface, point out its distinction from Syn- 

 calypta, to which on the other hand it is allied. 



Sp. 1. fasciculare. Nigrum, nitidum, vage punctatum, elytris punctis elevatis, 

 pilosis, brunneo-fidiginosis, subseriatis. (Long. corp. 2| lin.) 



Sp. fasciculare. Fabricius.—No. fasciculare. Steph. Catal. 97. No. 1027. — 

 Curtis, vi. pi. 246. 



Somewhat elongate-globose, black, shining, finely punctate on the head and 

 thorax, rather deeply so on the elytra, on which are little elevated distinct 

 tufts of obscure brown hairs, especially towards the apex and the outer margin, 

 and disposed somewhat in rows: antennae and legs brown-castaneous, the 

 latter of the deepest cast, and the club of the former dusky: tibiae broad, 

 finely denticulate, with some few tufts on the margin, similar to those on the 

 elytra. 



Taken, about May, 1823, near Ashburton, in Devonshire, by 

 Dr. Leach ; and subsequently, " rather plentifully under the bark 

 of some old elm-trees, which were placed in the sand to arrest the 

 incursions of the tide, at Southend." — Rev. F. W. Hope. 



Genus CLXXIX. — Byrrhus Auctorum. 



Antennce shorter than the thorax, compressed ; basal joint large; second small, 

 globose; third long and slender; fourth similar inform, but shorter; fifth 

 rather stouter ; sixth globose ; the remainder gradually incrassate, and forming 

 an elongate club, the four basal joints of which are transverse-ovate; the ter- 

 minal one ovate. Palpi somewhat equal, subclavate : head small, deflexed : 

 thorax a little sinuated behind : body globose-ovate, above very convex, densely 

 pubescent : breast and abdomen with impressed foveolee for the reception of 

 the legs, which are short : femora and tibioe compressed, dilated, the latter 

 slightly serrated, and with a groove on the outer edge to receive the tarsi, 

 which are pentamerous. 



The insects of this genus when touched, or during repose, con- 

 tract their antennae and legs so firmly and compactly to their body, 

 which has excavated grooves formed for their reception, as to appear 

 like a round inanimate ball or lump of earth, the resemblance to 

 which is heightened by tlieir pubescent sombre clothing ; they are 

 generally found in gravel and sand pits, beneath turf by the sides 

 of roads, in the spring and early summer months, &c. : — from 

 Nosodendron their five-jointed antennae at once distinguish them, 



Mandibulata. Vol. III. 15th August, 1830. l 



